14/10/2005
- Norfolk Island’s rainforests and unique Norfolk Island
Pines will continue to flourish thanks to $240,000 from
the Australian Government’s $3 billion Natural Heritage
Trust (NHT).
The funding boost was announced today by Australian Ministers
for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell;
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Peter McGauran; and
Norfolk Island Minister for the Environment, Stephanie
Jack.
The Ministers said the funds would include revegetation
projects involving planting threatened species.
Senator Campbell said $60,000 priority project funding
for revegetation works reflected strong community concerns
and placed a protective arm around the unique ecosystems
and endangered species of the Island.
“Norfolk Island has 178 species of native plants, 40 of
which - including the majestic Norfolk Island Pine and
the statuesque Philip Island Hibiscus - are unique to
the Island. It’s important we take care of them all for
Islanders and visitors alike,” Senator Campbell said.
“Revegetation will involve community groups to replant
endangered species and participate in initiatives to prevent
erosion, such as planting ground covers at Headstone,
Point Ross and Anson Bay.”
Mr McGauran said foundation funding provided $80,000 for
the development of the Norfolk Island Natural Resource
Management Plan and $100,000 for a hydrological study
to provide direction for sustainable use of recycled and
groundwater resources.
“The development of the Norfolk Island Natural Resource
Management Plan will pull together years of work done
by many experts and will involve extensive community consultation
to help develop a plan that ensures the protection and
sustainable use of the Island’s land, vegetation and water
resources,” Mr McGauran said.
“The hydrological study will develop a better understanding
of interactions between groundwater and surface water
and appreciation of the best ways to use recycled water.
This will benefit the environment by more productive and
efficient management of water resources.”
Mrs Jack said the new projects would complement recently
announced NHT funding of $650,000 to introduce a green
waste management system on the Island.
“The revegetation works will involve substantial planting
of local native species to displace weeds and restore
habitats,” she said. New plantings will also utilise mulch
from the processed green waste.”
The Ministers congratulated everyone involved and said
they looked forward to seeing community and government
working together, developing local solutions to local
problems.
An outline of the Natural Resource Management programmes
being funded is below.
